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When to tell how and when not to

Quite often, I am asked to show more details and to expand on how I work. I’ve been thinking a lot about this subject and wondering how to respond to these requests. In this post, I will explain how I choose when and when not to tell how I make things.

Salley, Jimmy and Anne, with parents Mary and Jim Mavor 1956

But first, I want to say it’s my birthday today and my sister Anne’s, too. 60 years ago, my mother’s water broke while she was making a bunny cake for Anne’s 3rd birthday. So, she went to a hospital in Boston and had me. Needless to say there was no birthday party for Anne that year. So, I can’t think of my birthday without thinking of Anne. When we were young, we had joint parties, but nowadays we rarely spend our birthday together, as we live on opposite coasts. Growing up, we spent a lot of time making things and my most vivid memories are about creating art, making music and dancing. Today, Anne and I are both artists, bringing our own visions into the world.

Salley at age 2

Turning 60 has emboldened me to share some thoughts I’ve been mulling over. As I’ve grown older, I can see more clearly what works in my life and what doesn’t. I try to remember to do what makes me feel whole and alive and to not feel obligated to do everything I’m asked or expected to do. And since a big measure of my well-being comes from making art, I want to set things up so I can continue to develop my art form for as long as possible.

Anne and Salley, 1956

I could stay cordoned off in my studio, shielded from the distractions of the world and the internet and thereby turn out a higher number of pieces. But, I enjoy communicating with the larger world through this blog, Facebook and Instagram. It take’s up A LOT of time, so I have to find a balance. Interestingly, in terms of artistic output, I was much more prolific before the internet, even with little kids around! When you’re connected like this and the pool of people gets larger, more questions, requests and suggestions come forth. The kind of people who follow me are wonderful and gracious. You are so appreciative when I share behind the scenes photos, especially process close-ups. Your encouragement to keep doing what I’m doing has made a big difference in my life. Your excitement comes through in your comments and it makes me happy!

April 14, 1960

So, why do I describe how to make some things and not others? I’ll get to that eventually, but please indulge me a little bit longer, just because it’s my birthday! I also want to address the issue of how embroidery and handwork has been and is still, for the most part, perceived today. Besides being designated as “women’s handiwork”, needlework has a strong tradition of teaching and learning through imitation, with instructions and patterns aplenty. Today, a vast needlecraft industry is built around this technique driven culture of copying, with businesses supplying materials, equipment, tools, patterns and kits for stitchers, knitters and quilters of all kinds.

I realize that people need a place to start and they derive great satisfaction from being guided through the process. That is why I used to make kits and have written how-to books about making dolls (Felt Wee Folk). My goal is to show the basic framework, with a variety of possibilities, so that the reader can gain the confidence to add more personal touches and create something that is uniquely their own. I want to share my techniques for making the dolls, which I see as a much-needed opening for people to play and express themselves.

Even though the mainstream needlework network doesn’t mesh with what I do, I am a part of it because I’ve authored how-to books, which are marketed within this world. But other than that, I operate in a different needle and thread universe. This is not surprising, since my work is generally an anomaly in any group I’m lumped into; embroidery, stumpwork, dolls, art quilts, miniatures, fiber art, children books, etc. The narrative and decorative style of my fabric relief pieces doesn’t really fit into the abstract, conceptual contemporary fiber art scene. And I suppose that writing the Felt Wee Folk books opened me up to being characterized as only a teacher of doll making techniques. Showing how to make these “cute” dolls, illustrating story books and organizing fairy house exhibits may have compromised my status in the serious art world, but knowing my work has touched many lives is of more value to me personally.

I identify myself as an artist first and foremost. To me, it doesn’t matter what medium or materials you use for your work to be considered art. Not today, in an art world that recognizes all manner of expressions. Not in this age of the internet, where individuals can build careers and gain followers, despite the hierarchy of the art establishment and opinions of curators and critics. I don’t want to be the kind of “serious” artist who, in an effort to have their work recognized as legitimate, dissociates themselves from the world of hobby needlework. There is too much real humanity and power in stitched objects that are labored over so lovingly. Just read the comments in last week’s Give-away post to understand the meaning and importance we give to making something by hand for another person. Your stories are so touching and life-affirming!

But, where does the artist who creates original work with needle and thread fit into the imitation model engrained in and perpetuated by the needlecraft industry? In order to explore new concepts and ideas, I have found it necessary to educate the public and protect myself from misconceptions about my work. For instance, people ask (not once, but many times) if I have a pattern to make Birds of Beebe Woods. Others want directions for making illustrations from Pocketful of Posies. And I am constantly asked how I make the little hands with fingers. I can understand asking about the hands, but the idea of providing patterns for my larger fabric relief pieces and illustrations has me totally baffled. I think that artists working in other mediums would be equally taken aback if asked for patterns and instructions.

With needlework, the distinction between art and craft is particularly fuzzy (no pun intended). That subject will still be discussed and debated long after I’ve threaded my last needle. For me, it points to the question of when to tell how and when not to. I am not worried about individuals copying my techniques, I just don’t want to spend my time and energy telling how I do it — time and energy that would otherwise go toward artistic growth. I find reviewing and explaining in detail the process of making something I’ve lived and struggled with for months like sliding backward into the muck, hindering any movement forward.

My children’s book illustrations and stand-alone pieces are much more involved and complicated than what I teach in Felt Wee Folk. Through 40 years of experimentation, I have devised methods of working that I consider proprietary knowledge. For instance, the way I make hands with little fingers is too linked to my personal artistic expression to show how in detail. I don’t want to upset the creative process by constantly organizing the steps in my mind and thinking in terms of explaining it to another. That would hold me back and limit the possibilities. I think the act of creating something new shouldn’t be overly dissected, else it lose its magic.

Mavor kids 1964

As an artist, I draw the line on what parts of my process to share and what parts I want to remain a mystery, even to myself. People wonder how I can give away “all of my secrets”, but I don’t look at it that way. In Felt Wee Folk, I’ve simplified some doll making techniques to a point where I can teach them step by step. Nonetheless, I won’t be writing any more how-to books or teaching classes. But, I will share projects in progress, thoughts, inspirations, travels, and give glimpses behind the scene. My sketchbook is brimming with ideas and I intend to devote as much time as I can to making new work.

First book 1963

This blog is full of photos that show the development of projects. What is shown and what is not usually depends on how engrossed I am and if I can remember to take pictures. Sometimes I take photos of different stages of making a piece, but that just skims the surface and may be perceived is a tease of sorts. I see it as documentation, not as a tutorial, which takes a different, more systematic approach. My husband Rob and I sometimes document with video, which we did for my outdoor environmental piece, Hither and Yon.

So, the simple explanation is that I show what I’m willing to share and don’t show what I’m not. I hope that I’ve explained my position on when to tell and whennot to in a way you can understand. It mostly comes down to one’s personal preference and when you’re 60, you get to decide. Even though there’s no denying that I’m a grown up now, I’m still going to play with dolls! Thank you for reading my birthday musings all the way to this point. For now, I will continue to offer glimpses into my world through the wonders of social media. For the past few weeks, many of you have followed along on Instagram and Facebook, while I construct a fairy house for this summer’s exhibit (June 28 – Aug. 31, 2015), the Fairy Houses of Highfield Hall in Falmouth MA. There will be many more needle and thread adventures ahead, so please come along on the journey!

Updated on April 19th — Thank you so much for your supportive comments. Some of you may have gotten the impression that I do not want to give directions because I don’t want others to copy what I’m doing. That is not my concern. It’s OK with me if people make work that is similar to and inspired by mine, as long as they have the experience of figuring it out themselves and they make it their own. I’m more interested in protecting my creative process, so that I can keep my muse alive and focus on growing as an artist.

53 thoughts on “When to tell how and when not to”

Thank you for this post, Salley, I completely agree and support you…I know the immersion of figuring out how to accomplish my goal and admire your ability to put any part of your work into “steps”-and thank you for doing what you have. Plus, I turn 60 tomorrow (as does my husband), so I can relate to “when you are sixty, you get to decide”!

Happy birthday, Sally! And welcome to a brand new decade! That’s an excellent artistic statement on the absolute need for creative privacy and respect – made me give a little involuntary cheer. Have a great day. 🙂

Salley, this has been a most interesting read. Welcome to the world of turning 60 – this is an interesting life journey we’re on and I’m so appreciative of you and your thought process. I, too, am an artist, I create folk art cornhusk sculptures and have been asked dozens of times, “just how do you do that particular part?” or “don’t you have a pattern?” Most of the time I’ve discovered that it’s easier to skirt around the question than actually trying to share the creative process. But, I have discovered one thing Salley, in teaching how to create these sculptures I share everything I don’t want inquirers to know. In other words, I only share up to a point, after that, it’s my decision to keep unknown certain techniques and processes to myself. Besides, sometimes I can’t actually explain how I do something, it just magically happens! You continue to inspire me Salley, even though our art is not at all alike. Thank you for taking the time to share your creative brain – you are a blessing!

Turning 60 is such a milepost on our journey through life. Upon reaching 60 I decided to be who I was, not who people expected me to be. The most daring step for me was the decision to quit dying my hair. This simple act opened the door to freedom to be me. The me that won’t spend time doing what I don’t want to or with people that I don’t enjoy. The freedom to create what I like – not what I think someone else would. Your art is such inspiration, never stop.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You continue to inspire and encourage me. I take it all very personally, as though you and I are sitting here with our coffee chatting. 😄. Keep doing your wonderful things.

Wonderfully written comments on sharing your art-or not-and techniques. You are an artist first and foremost-all one has to do is look at your needlework pieces. I am glad that you have written your books and have shared what you have shared so I can make your little people and learn to go from there and develop some creativity of my own. Thank you.

Happy Birthday! And thank you for putting into words many of the thoughts I have had for years about creativity and the process of expressing it. I find it difficult to explain “how did you make that?” because most creations come from almost 60 years (in September) of accumulated skills, some from formal classes, some from watching my very-gifted father work on highly detailed pieces, some from reading, and most from trial-and-error. And a lot from taking the spark of an idea and thinking outside the box! You have often been in my stash of idea sparks! Many of my questioners simply don’t yet have the accumulation of skills they need, so I encourage them to pick up some basic tools and get out there and try. I love your art! It is refreshing and different from anything else I see. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Salley, thank you so much for your post today, and I wholeheartedly agree with and support your stand. I have followed your work since I first discovered your illustrated books and Felt Wee Folk, which confirmed to me that someone else actually did believe that embroidery/needlework could be considered a viable art form. Thank you for being a source of inspiration for me over the years….now go and enjoy your birthday! Many happy returns of the day! Oh, and at our age, we get to celebrate birthday months…one day just never seems to be enough…

Happy Birthday Salley and thank you so much for all you do. You have been my inspiration and your Wee Felt Book helped me to fine tune the work on my dolls that I’d been putting on my quilted wall hangings. And I want to say ditto to what Deb Blackmore said in her comments. Thank you for your stand and I support you as well. In our Iroquois culture I’ve learned that there was never a word for art because we just decorated our “stuff”. Clothes, homes, bowls (pottery) etc., so to me it has been very important to be part of “art” using the needle and threads and fabrics to decorate walls, clothes, and “stuff”. Happy Birthday again. helen

Happy Birthday! I turned 60 last year and I found myself nodding in agreement throughout your beautiful post …partially about changing priorities.

I find these years , far from being a drawing down , are ones of great harvest . What I’m doing today began as seeds 40 -50 years ago and my current work could only be done now.

As to giving away secrets, or my discoveries I have always done so, almost as a challenge. No one has been able to copy me yet lol . One can impart all the techniques , but that does not really give away the secrets. Those cannot be transferred so causally .

Happy birthday, I loved reading your thoughts. Your beautiful work has caught my eye several times, to the point I now recognize your creations as the artist. I’m always exploring ideas with my hands and love the creative process. You inspired me to be more detailed and enjoy the ride. Hugs

Happy 60th Birthday, Salley! Thanks for sharing all the old photos and your early artwork. How neat that you and your sister share the same birthdate (although, maybe you didn’t think so when you were little!). What you do is magic, so keep on doing it and sharing what you want or don’t want – it’s up to you!

Salley, you have so beautifully spoken words that should be posted in most quilt and doll guilds! I have taught sewing to both children and adults. Without a doubt, the children are the most fearless. They never question their creativity or ability to make choices that transcend “correct.” And they have always been pleased with the results! They don’t need a pattern to tell their story. They will draw and create spontaneously.

Dear Salley Mavor
First, I want to send you all the best birthday- wishes .
Have a very joy- and peaceful day.
I agree with your thoughts about sharing/not sharing your artwork …
It is wonderful to get inspiration from artists all over the world and I want to thank you for beeing so generous,
letting us take part in your passion for creating your special scenes of a phantastic world ,which opens the door
to childhood, seems familiar, but keeps its secrets, as you wrote – and this can´t be seen in terms of `how-to do`
…it is your soul in it and this just cannot be copied-it´s unique because you are.
Greetings from Hamburg/Germany
Ingrid- Marie

Salley, Birthday Blessings! I thank you for what you have shared with us in picture and in written word. Your instructions are a stepping off point to creativity. In my creative process I need to first of all, copy, and then push myself to make a second piece that has my own creative touches. And after that, the sky is the limit 🙂 I am looking forward to making a set of wee folk for my grandchildren that will be totally unique to them. But I will always be thankful that you laid the ground work through your books and blog!

Happy Birthday and thank you for your lovely post. You explain so clearly what I feel about my work and why I am willing to make patterns and kits or teach a class on some of my small creatures and not on others. I look forward to seeing your future works and I very much enjoy the glimpses into your works in progress.

Happy Birthday, Salley and to your sister as well.
Being a fellow Illustrator and a tremendous fan of your amazing beautiful work, I find this an
especially interesting post. I think of you totally as an Artist / Illustrator and your medium as fabric and embroidery. I’ve heard other well known Illustrators asked what number graphite pencils they use and what watercolor paper….but not to provide “kits” or instruction so others could attempt to reproduce their work. Wondering if well known authors and playwrights are asked to create a “kit” to enable others to copy their writing…. Strange world we live in.

Happy Birthday, Salley! It was so interesting reading your musings about your family and your art. Like you, I call myself an artist but am comfortable in the craft world. Best wishes and welcome to the sixties – may it be a fabulous decade for you.

Thanks for writing this very interesting post. You have been an inspiration to me. I am shocked that people want step by step directions/patterns for your unique and awesome pieces. I relate to your work as I do my own. It is a process of learning and developing what works for the individual. The inspiration is there but the process is all my own which I have taught myself thru trial/error and combining all my ability that has taken me years to develop.
Happy 60th Birthday! Best wishes!

I loved reading this. May your hands continue to create that magic that you do so well! Happy Birthday! The respect you have for art and craft are voiced here. I’ve marveled at your work often. I also like how you honor and respect your creative process it’s both generous and personal/private. Thank you for sharing your words and your artistic world with us!

A beautiful post. Happy Birthday to you and your sister. I struggle a bit with the art/craft labelling in my work too. I find a lot of people try to undermine one’s idea of self/purpose. I don’t think it’s always intentional – they just don’t “get” it. Thank God for creative communities on the internet, of which you are a wonderful member!

Oh Salley.I heartily concur with this post.Having been a teacher for what seems like 100 years, I often think in terms of “steps” when I make things, and I think this does sometimes hold me back from just “going for it” in my work. It is a pain writing things down and takes you to another space- very far away from creating. Your book took you what 2 years? A very long and arduous journey, and you are probably a bit “burnt out” by the process at the moment. However at this time in your life it is a matter of what pleases you most.Writing or creating?
Over the years I have probably made 2-300 little dolls from your Wee Folk book as inspiration.I have made the dolls my own interpretations- which is what I think you’d like us to do. .They have made children and adults so happy.I am glad you’ve written your books, but now it’s your time.I can’t wait to see more of your thread works. If (??) you ever think of a new book, maybe you could “just” take photos of your completed textile works and have no explanations- just photos with a minimal text? I would certainly buy a book of illustrations of your works.You could maybe just put what inspires you in the book.How you develop ideas? There are many people who are intrigued by the creative process.
That way they would be “Art Books”.It would maybe help get more textile works onto bookshelves in libraries which are woefully short of books with work like yours.Don’t you paint with thread? I think the snobbery in the so-called Art World is ridiculous! Insulting. I have one of Annemeika Mein’s books of thread works.That woman is a genius. Likewise your work is so meticulous.I love your style and imagination. I just delight in every stitch and your latest book sits on my sewing table!! I love it.
Have a Happy Birthday, and please continue to play and stitch away in your delightful studio space.

Greetings from Texas! Happy Birthday, Salley. I am a big fan of your work. I really enjoyed this post. – Very well written and the family photos are just precious. I would have loved to have had a real playhouse like that INSIDE the house when I was a child. How wonderful to have parents like yours to create such a magical place. I just want to say that I admire your wonderful creations and I hope that you continue to do what you love for at least another 40 years. You are a true master at what you do. The rest of us get to watch as you work your magic. When I view photos of your work, I enjoy the rich details of every square inch – and it truly makes me happy. It’s hard to put my emotions into words, but I know you get it. Happy birthday dear lady.

Love the photos – especially the book that you made as a child. Wonderful! Instructions can only take one so far, in making art, crafts, cooking or just about anything. I believe the rest is love and a sort of personal magic, that comes from the heArt. To paraphrase the Little Prince, “what is essential, is invisible to the eye,” and can’t be taught by words or even pictures…Thanks for sharing what you do with the world. It brightens up the place. Happy birthday to you and your sister!

Well you have really hit a note with me here! People ask me sometimes “are you an artist?” and I’m always a bit uncomfortable when I do say yes because of the stigma of the term ‘artist’. It brings forth in peoples minds the mad painter or sculpter whom no one understands. or of someone who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars on a painting of a brown stripe on white canvas. Not to deny anyone their right to have their own interpretations of their creativity, but just because my work is fibre and crafted by hand and maybe called ‘cute’ I am possibly not taken as serious.
I had a customer recently who wanted a sculpture of a piece I had already made once and although I explained the One of a Kind concept, she was not happy with the version I did. She even had the nerve to ask me to send along glass eyes in case she wanted to changed the felted ones! I reluctantly made the second sculpture to look pretty much the same as the original and told her the eyes were not interchangeable. I did put in subtle differences on purpose that only I really knew about. Can you imagine if someone did that to a painting? Anyway I will not do that again. OOAK is OOAK. Lesson learned. Integrity compromised. Never again.
I see the incredibly patient and detailed artwork you do as important fibre arts of our time.
As far as ‘giving away secrets’…I believe we all have our own process and I will teach basics but leave it up to the individual to come up with their own inventions of things like fingers and such. It is part of the way a piece speaks to you and part of learning what you’re capable of.
Anyway…thanks so much for this post.
and Happy 60th!!! I’m not far behind! Lordy…where did the time go?!

Happy birthday Salley, and thank you for such a thoughtful post. Art or craft, the creating of something with our hands releases so much positive energy into our lives. I love to share the process, and see what others can create out of it. You have shared so much more than technique and have inspired so many of us.

The lovely thing about being an adult is that WE get to choose! So enjoy the coming decade, and the choices that make you happy.

Happy Birthday Salley! Thank you for all you have shared and continue to share. I love all your work. It’s such an inspiration. Your books have given me and my grandchildren much pleasure. Handwork is such a calming influence in my life and I enjoy making. t’s the most sane part of my life. Nothing better than sitting down with felt,needle and thread.

happy birthday salley M!! beautiful statement..and you are nothing but generous in your sharing some information of your process and some revelation of soul. Protecting the integrity of some core creative being/energy which lives inside (within all of us imo) is a wise and perhaps sacred act in my view. Sharing craft is a time-honored and noble tradition; thank goodness humans do this. The artwork that is signed Salley Mavor, is just yours, uniquely and doesn’t need to be copied or quantified or dissected or even inquired about, except by you, thru you, in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your art with the world AND for protecting your art so that it may c o n t i n u e the journey!

Sally, May your 60th. year bring you more than you could ever wish! You have put into words, what goes thru an artists head all day long as we create. Sometimes getting it out , frees us to continue on. You are a gem to share what you have, but you must still hold your secrets close to your heart. I admire your work . . . . happy stitches, Lori Ann

Birthday Greetings!
I am also an artist working in fiber, although my work is very different from yours. People are so pattern/kit oriented these days, I even know people who cannot make a quilt unless they can use the same fabric as the picture on the pattern cover. How limiting! I try not to get too insulted when asked where I got the pattern or kit for some of my original pieces. It’s as though those folks don’t think I’m capable of doing original work (maybe because they don’t see themselves as capable of it?). Well, someone has to design patterns and kits, too! Why couldn’t that be me?

Happy Birthday, Salley! I began as a painter, stitcher, ceramic artist! Now I am still doing all three. It bothers me that people think you can “kit” an artistic experience!!! Keep on doing your wonderful work and inspiring others on their artistic journey!!!

I love this blog. I like the pictures of your childhood as your family has been part of our community for so long. I agree completely about the value of figuring things out for ourselves. So much of the fun is in the problem solving that happens with a new project. You are always and inspiration. Happy birthday.

Happy Birthday, Salley. I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing your family photos and your thoughts about artistic process. I am not an artist, but a skilled needlewoman, and often ask if patterns are available. If they are, then I don’t have to reinvent the wheel. If not, I totally understand and if I want to do the project bad enough, will figure out a way on my own. I learn different things either way.

Thank you so much for explaining your position Salley. I also believe that an artist has the right to keep parts of the work personal. I am glad that you are sharing what you feel like sharing because it has always inspired me even though I mostly don’t do the same kind of work. I hope you had a most wonderful birthday! We are making plans to visit Falmouth this summer and I’m really happy that I’ll get to see the display at Highfield Hall again. I hope you have a marvelous time in Scotland, it’s one of my very favorite places!

You are an amazingly creative and inspirational woman. Your art has inspired me to continue my tradition of hand making gifts for holidays, and requiring my children do as well. It has taught them that gifts are from the heart, which is always necessary when being creative. It’s unfortunate it has been necessary to explain your methodology regarding what you will share and what you won’t; but BRAVO! Unlike so many creative people, who fear others will steal their fire, you wish to spur creativity in other not diminish it. You wish to help others find their own path to the joy and satisfaction experienced when you have created something…
You are showing many just enough to get started, and then let creativity take over. In a world of so much technology that does so much for us, I am grateful to anyone else who demands people use their own imaginations and creativity to feel the pure joy of creation. Thank you again for all you share.

This is a very valuable post. The line between art and craft blurs, and it always frustrates me when other makers can’t tell one from the other. Art is art, by its nature instinctual and inexplicable at times, an artist is not obliged to tell another how to make it. It is magic after all, and we each make our own. x

Well said, and well meant! Thank you for not only sharing your wisdom, but also letting me know I don’t need a template to create. I have always followed a template never thinking I could create on my own. Ah, my dear, your belated birthday gift is to me. You have given me license to create, and I believe I can. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Sally, although this comment very late, I just wanted to thank you for putting your thoughts regarding tutorials so well. My favorite of your explanations spoke of how going back keeps you from moving forward. I agree wholeheartedly. You deserve a clear path to wherever your brilliant and creative mind wants to travel. We will all benefit from your travels as you share those works with us. Happiest New Year to you and yours.
PS. While the line between art and craft is fuzzy, your approach to fiber art is art, without question.